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CHICAGO (AP) — If the Chicago Cubs can make it into the World Series, that will extend by several more days the career of Fred Washington.
He's been putting numbers into the hand-operated scoreboard since 1990. But now, at 66, he's ready to retire.
So when the Cubs play their last home game of the year, that'll be it for Washington, too. He'll climb down the ladder at the bottom of the classic green scoreboard and stroll off to retirement.
His home away from home these past 26 years was built in 1937. There are three levels in the scoreboard, and as many as four people fill in the numbers for a full slate of games in the summer.
His final season has been a lot of fun. The Cubs rolled to a major league-best 103 wins and the NL Central title this year. Game 6 against the Dodgers is tomorrow night at Wrigley.
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170-a-06-(Fred Washington, who at 66 is retiring as a Wrigley Field scoreboard operator, in AP interview)-"to pop up"-Wrigley Field scoreboard operator Fred Washington, who's retiring, says he's really loved his job. (21 Oct 2016)
<<CUT *170 (10/21/16)££ 00:06 "to pop up"
171-a-08-(Fred Washington, who at 66 is retiring as a Wrigley Field scoreboard operator, in AP interview)-"on a pedestal"-Wrigley Field scoreboard operator Fred Washington, who's retiring, says the fun starts every time the umpire says 'play ball.' (21 Oct 2016)
<<CUT *171 (10/21/16)££ 00:08 "on a pedestal"
APPHOTO CER204: FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, scoreboard operators Brian Helmus, left, and Fred Washington look out to the field from inside the Wrigley Field's iconic scoreboard during a baseball game between Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in Chicago. Fred Washington is retiring from his job as a Wrigley Field scoreboard operator, and he is hoping to finish his career in the World Series, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) (21 Oct 2016)
<<APPHOTO CER204 (10/21/16)££
APPHOTO CER203: FILE - In this April 10, 2014 file photo, scoreboard operators Fred Washington, right, and Brian Helmus look out to the field from inside of the scoreboard at Wrigley Field during a baseball game between Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in Chicago. Fred Washington is retiring from his job as a Wrigley Field scoreboard operator, and he is hoping to finish his career in the World Series, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) (21 Oct 2016)
<<APPHOTO CER203 (10/21/16)££
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